After 40 years, the Block Parent program in Chatham-Kent is ending.
Back in February, it announced that it needed $30,000 to continue the program after the United Way of Chatham-Kent, which had been funding the program since 2010, announced it was cutting funding.
"Unfortunately over this past year, we had to be released from the United Way," said Block Parent outreach coordinator Deanna Bullard. "They were changing focus, which we all understand. We weren't able to pick up a new sponsor to help us out, so now Block Parents are folding."
Bullard added that many in the community are sad to see the program end.
"Others are in shock cause they can't believe that Block Parents are closing, cause they have fond memories of that. They are upset by it, they understand that the world is changing though, but they would still like to see something in its place," she said.
"We've been slowly closing things down but it's at the point now where we need all of our Block Parents, and businesses, to make sure their signs have been turned in," said Bullard. "Many of them have already complied and they are in, but we need them to get them in by the 15th of this month."
If you see a Block Parent sign after June 15, call the United Way, and if you see one after July 1, Bullard said to call Chatham-Kent police.
The final Block Parent Annual General Meeting will take place on June 27.
